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Home , Hot Springs Mountain

June 2018

CHAPTER MEETING Casa del Prado Room 101 Balboa Park June 19, 2018

Schedule 6:30 pm – Natives for Novices - Planting Natives in Containers by Sue Marchetti. 7:00 pm – Refreshments, browsing, & socializing. 7:30 pm - Announcements 7:45 pm – Presentation. Chapter meetings are free and open to the public.

Presentation: by Bob Perry, Bob’s books Professor Emeritus Cal Poly include: Pomona, Academician, Author, Landscape Plants for Landscape Architect Designing native plant gardens can be organized in Gardens, Trees many facets including science, form, function and art. and Shrubs for Taken together, I have found the challenge of designing Dry California a native plant garden to be quite overwhelming. This Landscapes, challenge has been made easier, but not simple, by and Landscape spending years studying plant ecology, morphology, Plants for physiology, principles and elements of art, and design Western form. I am still imprinted by my early years in landscape Regions. architecture with two axioms: ‘Design is a Process’, and

‘Form follows Function’. Today, I have come to the view Bob Perry is keenly aware of our region’s that I have been learning how to write a story. A story Mediterranean climate and precarious water resources. that is called: ‘My Native Plant Garden’. I look forward Throughout his professional life, even when it wasn’t to sharing my story. fashionable, he has strived to marry garden design aesthetics with water conservation and concern for the environment.

I've been up on the mountain every year and while this BOARD MEETING year has been dry, there is an excellent chance of finding blooming fairy lantern lily (Calochortus albus) in Wednesday, June 6, 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. 4010 Morena Blvd, early June. Whole fields of velvety false lupine Suite 100, (Thomas Guide 1248 C4). CNPS-SD (Thermopsis californica var. semota) have already been Executive Board meetings are always the first Wednesday of witnessed firsthand, buzzing with huge black st the month, except when the 1 Wednesday falls on a bumblebees. Also up this year are wallflowers, holiday. Members are welcome to attend as observers. To paintbrush, ceanothus, baby blue eyes, and western add an issue to the agenda, please email blue flax. Many species of fire adapted plants will be [email protected] . found, though fewer are coming up now compared to previous years. DISCLAIMER: You will be asked to sign a waiver / FIELD TRIPS attendee list at the meetup. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible guardian. There could be Fire Recovery in Cuyamaca Rancho rattlesnakes on the trail as well as the (not likely) State Park mountain lion or (possible) bobcat, so stay alert. June 2, Saturday; 8 am to 1 pm. CARPOOL: Park/arrive at Fashion Valley Mall Transit DIFFICULTY: Hard, +/- 7.0 miles. Please prepare well Station at the west side of the mall near Fashion Valley for this long hike, with excellent shoes, plenty of water, Rd between 6:50 to 7:00 am. At least one truck will be snacks and a lunch, and a good camera. The trails are available but be prepared to drive if there more people good, though we may take the Conejos Trail, which can than spaces! Estimated 100-mile roundtrip. Donations be steep and brushy. I recommend some bug spray and for gas certainly help. The transit center at the bus / long sleeves - ticks can be an issue. Knee braces and / or trolley station is free to park for 24 hours and has a walking stick might be a good idea - much of the trail roaming security. Keep in mind parking here has the will have loose gravel and be fairly steep. same risks as street parking. Let me know by message if PLANT KNOWLEDGE: All Levels, many specific terms. you are coming in by bus or trolley so I can make sure you have a ride. For anyone that is unaware of the history of Cuyamaca State Park and the Cleveland Nat'l, the 2003 Cedar Fire DIRECTIONS: Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, CA-79 & devastated the yellow pine forest that covered Middle Milk Ranch Rd, Julian, CA. Take I-8 east from San Diego Peak and . Since then, the park has gone past Alpine to the SR-79 exit to Julian. Head north to the through many phases of renewal and out-of-balance turn (turn to stay on 79) and park at Milk Ranch Rd / Los response cycles. In addition to the many montane and Vaqueros Trail. We'll shuttle to Paso Picacho after we chaparral native plant species we'll find on the long trail, meet. Alt route: S from Julian. we'll take an in-depth look at natural and human-driven methods of recovery. This is an interpretive walk over a State Park, great breadth of a place that is very special for many French Valley reasons. June 10, Sunday; 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. From Milk Ranch Rd, our hike will lead us upwards from DIFFICULTY: Easy to moderate. the swampy grassland near the lake up through PLANT KNOWLEDGE: All levels. Ceanothus chaparral into black oak woodlands and The Chapter makes this trip annually, with the path this beyond to what's left of the once majestic pine forest. It year only slightly different from the previous trips. This has been many years since the State Park began an time, we'll take the path down to the weir once more, effort to replant the pines and cypress that burned, and but we'll focus a little more on French Valley, exploring we'll check on their status before heading up to the further in for early summer blooms. The oak woodland patch of remaining conifer woods along the saddle of path back through the campground to the parking lot the main peak, where great views into San Diego await. won't be the end of this trip. We'll eat lunch at Doane If hot weather puts up a fight, we'll find our way down Pond and then decide whether to head for the through the Azalea Springs where the shade will help mountain dogwood (Cornus nuttallii) up the Doane raise our spirits immensely. Valley or go to the rim trail at the upper lot from the

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Ancient Cypress grove. I expect there will be a lot to see This is not a formally planned event; there will not be even though Palomar Mountain has only gotten less carpooling or a definite itinerary. Once we meet on than half the usual rainfall this year (normal is 30+ Saturday afternoon at the Jardín Botánico San Quintín, inches). we'll follow Josué and Sula to points of their choosing. If you or your guests do not have experience touring in In 2016, the spring Palomar Mountain trip was cold and Baja or Mexico, reconsider coming on this trip. The main foggy - perfect weather for a hike. Last year, the trip was experience we are going for is an independent camping in August, and though sunny and beautiful, it was warm trip alongside botanists that know the region well. This despite the shade of the trees. Come prepared for means everyone takes responsibility for their own either type of weather. If driving, make sure you have preparation, safety, transportation, and proper enough gas for the mountain - there are no services documentation. other than restrooms and a restaurant. General Itinerary: NOTE: There is a $10 per car entrance fee to the State June 23, Saturday: Leave San Diego over the border at Park. Details about the State Park can be found through 7 am. Breakfast in Ensenada (9:30ish), then arrive at the Friends of Palomar Mtn website: Jardín Botánico San Quintín about 1 pm. http://www.friendsofpalomarsp.org/ which includes Directions to the Jardín Botánico: From the border at maps and info. No dogs on the trails. If you can find a San Ysidro/Tijuana (7 am); take Mexico 1 South towards space at the campground, it is a great trip that should Ensenada (9:30 am) & maintain through tolls and be experienced for sure! checkpoints to San Quintín (noon). The Garden is one CARPOOLING: Park / arrive at Fashion Valley Mall block N & W of stoplight. Juarez & Gral. Esteban Cantú. Transit Station at the west side of the mall near Fashion We will check out the garden and have lunch while our Valley Rd between 7:10 to 7:20 am. At least one vehicle retinue make it down the Mexico 1. Once all together, will be available, but be prepared to drive, please! we'll check out San Quintín Bay for the afternoon, and Estimated 120-mile roundtrip. Donations for gas do then meet to camp at El Refugio, on Reserva Natural help. The transit center at the bus / trolley station is free Punta Mazo. [About 60 pesos per person.] to park for 24 hours and has roaming security. Keep in mind parking here has the same risks as street parking. June 24, Sunday: Head south at 8 am to Reserva Natural PM me if you plan to come in by bus or trolley to make Valle Tranquilo at 9 am for the diversity of cacti in the sure you have a seat available. (PM = Personal messaging succulent maritime scrub, lunch, then move to Colonet through the meetup ID. Members can message without Mesa and Reserva Natural Charcas Vernales (vernal everyone seeing their info.) pools) in the afternoon. The vernal pools will be dry, but DIRECTIONS: From SD, Escondido (exit Bear Valley there will still be plenty to discuss. About 5 pm, drive Pkwy - East), follow through Valley Center to 76. From I- back up to Punta Banda and camp at campo 5. 15, Exit 76 to Pala - East. In Pauma Valley / Rincon head June 25, Monday: 8 am hike on bluffs and then head up the mtn on S6 / Hwy 76. Follow signs to State Park back to the USA border. From Ensenada, it usually takes using S7. Meet at Doane Pond parking lot. 3 to four hours+ to get stateside, so schedule your return accordingly. Punta Colonet & San Quintin Bay, IMPORTANT DETAILS: Baja California - MEXICO! 1) Everyone will require a valid passport to travel in and Saturday, June 23, 7:00 am, to Monday, return from Mexico. It is now too late to renew or get June 25, 7:00 pm. one issued in time. Very special destinations on a cross border camping 2) U.S. dollars are accepted (sometimes preferred) in adventure! CNPS San Diego, in coordination with the Baja, but I suggest having at least $100 USD worth of CNPS Baja California Chapter will be joining for an Mexican currency (Mx Pesos) before heading down. international field trip on the Colonet Mesa and about https://www.tripsavvy.com/exchanging-dollars-for- the northern Baja California coastal peninsula. With pesos-in-mexico-1588945 Josué Campos of RECON and Sula Vanderplank as our 3) You will need to bring supplies for three days. June guides, we'll take a look at the maritime succulent will be hot, but it can still be cold at night on the coast. scrub, vernal pools, and salt marsh areas around San Come prepared, as some items can be difficult to find in Quintin, south of Ensenada. Baja. Bring bottled water, food, camping gear, maybe extra gasoline, and a thorough checklist covering a 3

multi-day trip. There are plenty of mercados along the both shared thoughts about the many wonderful books way. If driving, auto insurance for Mexico is required! available through the library system on these topics and 4) Spanish translators are very highly recommended. reminded the audience that they could be checked out. Mexico 1 has tolls and Federale checkpoints. English is Q&A followed, and the program ended with a no-cost not ubiquitous on the peninsula and having a bilingual raffle that gave away a donated copy of Santa Monica speaker along will help immensely with Mountains Wildflowers (out-of-print) and several misunderstandings and fair trade. At least bring a recent Fremontias and Floras. The OB Library is part of Spanish-English dictionary or good language app. the City of San Diego Library system. 5) By signing up on the CNPSSD Meetup page, you ~ Kay Stewart confirm that you have read the event conditions and agree to take responsibility (and liability) for yourself and your property. Baja California is a beautiful and vibrant place with a resilient people and very old culture. Please be respectful and patient. Also, be aware that Mexico can be a dangerous place. Keep informed of this year's elections (July 1) and other news. Do not bring anything that cannot be replaced. The most dangerous things we will encounter will be rattlesnakes, ticks, food / water down. Be confident in your vehicles and supplies. Cell phones may only work on roaming or not at all, depending on your plan. For $20-30 USD, you can buy a cell phone with minutes on TelCel or AT&T Mexico in CONSERVATION Tijuana or Ensenada. https://www.bajabound.com/before/aboutmex/phone Conservation Committee guide/cellphonebaja.php June 5. Usually the first Tuesday evening of each month. ~ Justin Daniel, Field Trip Chair Contact Frank Landis at [email protected] for details. WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Bundling GPAs...And More Angelia Bottiani Patricia Schick Joe & Laurie Ferguson Deb & Steve Schmal to Do for Conservation William Hunefeld Jonathan Snapp-Cook First, a huge Thank You!! to the Conner Family Katherine Powell Andy Wiese Foundation for a donation that grew the CNPSSD legal fund by about 50 percent. This was welcome income, CNPS PRESENTATION FOR as we may well have substantial legal expenses this year. FIRST CITY LIBRARY NATURE Hopefully, by the time you read this, you'll know all SERIES WAS A HIT about GPA Bundling and that it was a kerfuffle. If not, Ocean Beach Librarian Destiny Rivera gave CNPS the here's my (perhaps belated) explanation. first spot for a new monthly speaker’s program all about GPA here isn't Grade Point Average, but General Plan nature. Phil Roullard and Kay Stewart were welcomed Amendment. It turns out that California Government by a standing-room-only crowd of 50. Kay kicked it off Code Section 65358 states that "no mandatory element by using the chapter's table-top display to explain how of a general plan shall be amended more frequently the chapter encourages native plant than four times during any calendar year." What's the appreciation through conservation and hikes to point of a General Plan if it can be amended to allow gardening and publications. development at whim? Section 65358 then continues, Phil presented a slide show of his gorgeous photos of "Subject to that limitation, an amendment may be our County's beautiful flowering plants. Then they made at any time, as determined by the legislative 4

body. Each amendment may include more than one voters rejected) can be combined with the execrable change to the general plan.(emphasis added)" This last botanical analysis on Otay Ranch Village 14 for people sentence has come to be known as "bundling." to sue over both. This saves on litigation costs. Back in March, Mark Wardlaw, the head of County On the environmental side, the GPA projects I've read Planning, testifying in front of the County Planning have some serious problems. Most propose high end Commission, noted that the County has already housing in high fire areas. This is a double problem. approved one GPA this year (Lake Jennings San Diego has a real surplus of million-dollar homes on Marketplace), and that there were six others in line: the market, but we have very little at the $300,000 level Newland Sierra, Warner Ranch, Otay 250, Valiano, where someone of median income can afford to buy a Harmony Grove Village South, and Lilac Hills Ranch. home. Indeed, the building industry seems to think that Wardlaw reportedly noted that, County Planning "will $500,000 is a good starting price for a home. The be grouping them and bringing them forward to the General Plan calls for more affordable housing, but so Board of Supervisors." far, the builders are trying GPAs and expensive homes, In late April the environmental community found out. rather than following the Plan. According to rumor, the GPAs were going to come to the Then there are the GPA fire protection and evacuation Supervisors in the following bundles: plans, most of which are coming from a single July 25: 3,936 Harmony Grove Village South, Valiano, consultant. The problem is that many of these GPAs are Otay 250 in fire-prone areas. Valiano burned in the 2014 Cocos Fire, Otay Ranch Village 14 burned in the 2007 Harris September 26: Newland Sierra. Fire, Safari Highlands burned most recently in 2003. All October 31: Otay Ranch Village 14, Warner Ranch, and these places need fire safety and evacuation plans, but Lilac Hills Ranch. the published plans boil down to the following: first, Heck of a trick or treat, that last one. every household will be strongly encouraged to develop its own evacuation plan. During a fire, the sheriffs and If you're wondering where Safari Highlands went, it's firefighters, coordinating in an Incident Command under City of Escondido jurisdiction, not the County, system, will do a block by block phased evacuation so and I expect I'll hear about it later. Also, the rumors that everybody doesn't flee at once in a traffic jam of don't match what Wardlaw said (why is Otay Ranch doom (whatever their individual evacuation plans Village 14 in that Halloween trick bag?). were). The GPA evacuation plans assume that The County's haste may be driven by the Save Our San everybody will get out in an hour by doing this. Diego Countryside Initiative (SOS). By the time you read I was at a Planning Commission meeting today, listening this, we'll know if the SOS backers collected enough to two fire chiefs tap-dance their way through this signatures to get this on the ballot in November. contradictory analysis. The sad part is, they signed off Certainly, the County seems worried enough about the on documents saying that, somehow, this will all work. SOS initiative that they're trying to pass all these GPAs Worse, the Planning Commission seems prepared to before the November election. believe them, even when over a dozen people testify Also, the Board of Supervisors next year will be missing that this isn't what happens in a real fire. some very familiar faces: Bill Horn and Ron Roberts, From the testimony at the Planning Commission, a very possibly Kristen Gaspar (she's running for Darrell Issa's different evacuation scenario emerged. Some people Congressional seat). The County population appears to (like one Planning Commissioner) have a plan that starts be becoming more democratic, and (coincidentally?) with "when we smell smoke, we leave." There are lots Wardlaw is proposing bundling, even though Sup. Diane of people who have horses on their property (3-83 in Jacobs announced in early May that she'd never seen it the Valiano area). Add an hour or more to get home done and wanted a report on it before she did it. through the mass of fire engines and idiots out of their Why is bundling problematic? There are two issues. On cars taking selfies with the fire (as in the Cocos Fire), an the one hand, it's bad for the sprawl promoters, hour or more to pack when you get home (my because if the Supervisors pass a bundle, presumably all evacuation experience), at least an hour to get your of it can all be litigated at once. For example, the horses trailered, more hours in the traffic jam going out, double-dipping aspect of the Lilac Hills Ranch (which the and, oh yes, a fire that takes less than one hour to reach the community (one man timed the Cocos fire 5

overrunning what is now the Valianos property in 54 voted against Lilac Hills Ranch than voted for her (she minutes). This is not what's in the evacuation plan, and won 50.28%/115,295 to Dave Roberts' it's why I think "high end fire traps" may be the pithy 49.72%/114,023). way to think of these GPAs. All told, it's going to be an interesting year. Hopefully What can you do about this? we can keep San Diego from sprawling out of control. 1. If you're a neighbor to one of the GPAs, speak up. And hopefully the County will be a bit more sane after We need more people at County Planning the election. Commission and the Board of Supervisors testifying And thanks to all who have donated! about the real conditions around all these developments. People are doing it, and we need ~ Frank Landis, Conservation Chair more, with fire videos and numbers supporting how long it has taken them to evacuate during a fire. GARDENING WITH NATIVES 2. Donate to CNPSSD and other environmental groups that are fighting sprawl. CNPSSD is not in litigation yet, but Sierra Club, Endangered Habitats League, Native Gardening Committee Cleveland National Forest Foundation, and Center Meeting for Biological Diversity already are. Everybody's June 13. The Native Gardening Committee meets the resources are stretched, so if you can donate, 2nd Wednesday of each month at various locations. please do so. The GPAs are a blitz attack against Contact [email protected] for location and time. rational planning in the County. 3. Contact your supervisor and tell them what you Native Plant Landscape think about the GPAs. Be polite! If you don't want more high-end fire traps in the back country, tell in Old Town them that you want to see more affordable housing State Historic Park in villages, not sprawl. 4. About Lilac Hills Ranch, yes, that may well be Old Town Native Plant Landscape Needs YOU! approved in October, so you'll have time to call or June 9, Saturday; 9:30 a.m. to noon. It is seen by more email your supervisor (again), tell them that you are visitors than any other native plant landscape in San very disappointed that Lilac Hills Ranch is going in Diego. A few die-hard members have tended it for ten front of them after the voters rejected it, and years. We hope more CNPS members will come help us politely tell them that you expect them to follow the and bond with it. will of the voters in their district. Please come help us grub out unwanted non-native pest What was the voters' will, you ask? Thanks to a friend, plants. Bring your own gloves and hand tools or share I have the election results from 2016, broken down by ours. Bring water and sun protection. number of votes per district. After we hit the noon hour, some of us will go for a no- • 1st District (Greg Cox): Yes: 85,204 (44.74%); No: host lunch. The landscape is at the corner of Congress 105,223 (55.26%) and Taylor Streets. Park for free in the lot off Calhoun • 2nd District (Diane Jacob): Yes: 87,059 (35.54%); Street, past the green dumpsters. No: 157,906 (64.46%) • 3rd District (Kristin Gaspar): Yes: 86,314 Questions? Contact Kay or Peter at (35.21%); No: 158,813 (64.79%) [email protected]. • 4th District (Ron Roberts): Yes: 82,454 (34.51%); ~ Kay Stewart No: 156,440 (65.49%) • 5th District (Bill Horn): Yes: 81,291 (34.04%); No: EarthLab Update 157,512 (65.96%) Thanks to Chapter's Mini-Grants, Natives at Total: Yes: 422,322 (36.46%); No: 735,894 (63.54%). EarthLab are Growing Beautifully These are useful numbers to mention when you contact GroundWorks San Diego - Chollas Creek has brought your supervisor. Supervisor Gaspar, in particular, might awareness of our natural environment to community be interested to know that more people in her district members in central San Diego through programs at 6

EarthLab, a 2-acre plot right off Euclid Ave. and SR 94. Every year, hundreds of public school students learn BOTANY about growing plants there. Over several years, grants supported staff and volunteers to grow thousands of Prehistoric SD County, Part 3 native plants, to restore Chollas Creek. These projects Foothills teach students about wildlife as well as plants. Other The foothills and valleys in San Diego County would projects are teaching students how to grow vegetables have exhibited even greater differences in vegetation and fruit trees. from those of modern times. In addition to El Cajon, the Most recently, GroundWorks improved 1/4 acre of major valleys, including Escondido and Ramona, would EarthLab to become a water conserving Demonstration have supported low growing shrubs but also grassland Garden. This area showcases low-water plants that due to increased precipitation and fine soils and the homeowners can plant in their own yards. Mini-Grants large numbers of herbivorous mammals. from CNPSSD bought CA native plants for the Demo Except for the big animals, the environment including Garden between 2016 and 2018. GroundWorks grants the vegetation here would have modeled that of the are now funding homeowners to convert home inner mountain foothill slopes of the Monterey/Santa landscapes to conserve water, using many of the plants Cruz areas. Winter snow levels would have been growing at EarthLab. As the photos show, the native repeatedly at 2,000 to 2,500 feet rather than the 3,500 plants sponsored by CNPSSD are growing beautifully on feet that it is now. The foothill mountains, like Otay a low-water irrigation schedule. Mountain, Big Black Mountain, Mount Woodson, Viejas, Poser, Potrero and Tecate Peaks, were regularly snow- capped forested peaks following winter storms. The vegetation on the foothill mountains would have been pines with Pinus coulteri (Coulter pine), more Hesperocyparis forbesii (Tecate cypress), Hesperocyparis stephensonii (Cuyamaca cypress) Pseudotsuaga macrocarpa (Big-coned Douglas fir) mixed with Quercus chrysolepis (Canyon live oak), and Quercus kelloggii (California black oak). Average precipitation on Otay Mountain would have been close to 40 inches. Acer macrophyllum (Big leaf maple) and Arbutus menziesii (Madrone) were also part of the The Demo Garden is still evolving. It is a dynamic forest vegetation community, the big leaves providing project, engaging community volunteers for various large yellow patches on the hillsides in the fall. garden projects. With wise management, caring However, Madrones were dark and grew with large volunteers, and adequate funds, it can grow to be a shiny leaves and red bark. In the favorable locations beautiful community asset for residents of central San with a bit more shade and rainfall, these trees would Diego. If you are interested, please get in contact to have also been mixed with Pinus lambertiana (Sugar learn more. pine), Pinus ponderosa (Ponderosa pine), ~ Kay Stewart (White fir), and Calocedrus decurrens (Incense cedar). This was the same type of forest that currently occurs near the top of the and Palomar Mountain. In the hilly areas, Saber tooth cats, Jaguars, and Short-faced and Grizzly bears were common, preying on the Elk, Mule deer, and Bighorn sheep. Mastodons and sloths were individual food processors pulling down low hanging tree branches and shrubs in the forested areas, feeding machines that were actively engaged in eating through much of the day. Shrub oxen browsed on the chaparral and sage scrub vegetation, feeding and chewing for hours at a time, moving in small 7

clusters and tilting their heavy horned heads at stunted groves of redwoods and Douglas fir. unexpected sounds. A Scimitar cat watched them from Mountains a shadowy vantage point. The mountains were obviously subject to significant Rainfall in Ramona, Escondido and Alpine would have winter snowfall. The averages were higher until the reached over 30 inches on average as well with forests prolonged drought of the last 20 years in which only 3 of oaks, Pinus coulteri, Pinus jeffreyi (Jeffrey pine) and years were above normal. During the Pleistocene, Pseudotsuga macrocarpa. The hills east of El Cajon snowfall on Palomar Mountain would have been over would have been covered with a mix of chaparral and 100 inches per season and more than 160 inches per woodlands of oak and pine. However, the vegetation season on Mount Laguna, based on estimates of the would have been open on much of the slopes and river mean level for those mountains in modern times that valleys interior basin valleys due to the high numbers of would have been more than doubled since a greater grazing and browsing mammals that were present in percentage of precipitation would have fallen as snow these locations, as well as low marshy habitats in the (Close et al. 1970). Average seasonal precipitation center of the valleys. would be estimated to range from 50 inches on Mount Laguna to 65 at Cuyamaca Lake and 70 plus for parts of The hills north of Santee and near Mount Woodson Palomar Mountain. While the original conditions would were covered with pines and oaks mixed in the north have been predominantly winter precipitation, summer again with Quercus kelloggii, the deciduous oak, turning monsoon rainfall would probably have also occurred in rusty gold in the Fall. Celtis reticulata (Western the mountain areas, particularly the Mount Laguna huckleberry) and Acer macrophyllum would have also area. With colder mountains, the area around grown here with Calocedrus decurrens, Arbutus Cuyamaca would have looked different. Populus menziesii on north slopes in canyons and Umbellularia tremuloides (Quaking aspen) would have grown along californica (Bay laurel) and Cercis occidentalis (Western the eastern edge of Cuyamaca Valley over to the desert redbud). Beneath the forests, Vaccinium ovatum slopes and would have spread down the east side of (California huckleberry) grew as a major component of Mount Laguna with a continuous band extending down the vegetation. It would be difficult to say if Sequoia from the Santa Rosa Mountains, Santa Ysidro sempervirens (Redwood), the Thuja plicata (Red cedar) Mountains above Borrego Springs, and on the east side known from central California in modern times, and the of Volcan Mountain. Pinus contorta (Lodgepole pine), Pseudotsuga menziesii (Douglas fir), were here. As Pinus lambertiana (Sugar pine), Abies concolor (White mentioned, there are fossil indications from the trees of fir), Querus kelloggi, Pinus Jeffreyi and Pinus ponderosa the La Brea tarpits that Redwoods were in the Los and Calocedrus decurrens (Incense cedar) would have Angeles Basin. Douglas fir grows in small numbers in all grown to the larger sizes in this area. On the upper northern Santa Barbara County. If they weren’t actually slopes of Cuyamaca Peak, the precipitation would be present in San Diego County at that time, they may have approaching 80 inches with a lush, thick forest of been close. The Redwoods may not have found conifers and probably more patches of Quaking aspen. conditions favorable enough for them since they thrive on coastal fog and high rainfall. While it would have The view of Cuyamaca Lake would have been that of a been cooler, the coastal areas may not have had quite broad, shallow lake that held water all year long. The enough rainfall though they received some fog and in east side of the lake would have had groves of fall yellow the interior the rainfall was greater but the fog was aspen with subalpine conifers to the west on Middle possibly less prevalent. However, there may have been Peak and Stonewall Jackson Peak to the south. certain hills such as the Santa Margarita Mountains that Subalpine forest had many of the trees that were at the could have had enough rainfall and could have been an intermediate level forest around Cuyamaca Lake as well area where the fog settled with a cooler California as a couple more, including Juniperus occidentalis current creating perhaps more fog. Case Springs in the (Western juniper), Pinus contorta ssp. murryana Santa Margarita Mountains would have received more (Lodgepole pine), and Pinus flexilis (Limber pine), which than 40 inches of precipitation in an area not as interior is found just north of San Diego County now. Other and therefore less likely to receive heavy snowfall and interesting subalpine plants include Monardella species cold temperatures or dry periods but close to the coast and Erythranthe purpureaus that grows in the San to be affected by heavy fogs. It could have supported Bernardino Mountains around Big Bear Lake and the mixed evergreen forests with Maples, Oaks, Bay laurel, Sierra de San Pedro Martir. Douglas tree squirrels Vaccinium ovatum and maybe, just maybe, some 8

(Tamiascurrus douglasii) mentioned earlier, that is Ponderosa pine trees. The Sugar pines had trunks more closely related to the Tamiascurrus mearnsii in the than 9 feet in diameter. On the nearby rocky ridge over Sierra de San Pedro Martir, occupied the forests along on Eagle Crag on Agua Tibia Mountain, Bighorn sheep with flying squirrels, Purple finches, Yellow-rumped climbed up, pulling themselves through the chaparral warblers, and Red-breasted nuthatches. Ruby crowned and the adjacent woodlands. A lithe and graceful Jaguar kinglets with their strong warbling song were also flying watched them closely from the entrance of a rocky den around in the forests. Sooty grouse may have occurred nearby. in the higher elevations. The grating, hoarse call of the ~ Tom Oberbauer, President Clark’s nutcrackers would have been a common sound in the forest. Pileated woodpeckers, Lewis’s Related Activities woodpeckers and white-headed woodpeckers would have been regular inhabitants in these areas as well. SD Weed Management Area Annual Seminar Sugar pines, White fir, Ponderosa pine and June 4, 2018; 9 am to ~ 3 pm. Hesperocyparis montana (San Pedro Martir cypress) Come to this free seminar to learn about weeds, pests were also present in the higher mountains but not quite and land management. Use the link below to register for to the highest elevations. The forest was dense and the event: extensive. Mount Laguna was covered with aspen and subalpine coniferous forest. Laguna Lake was https://ucanr.edu/survey/survey.cfm?surveynumber=2 perennial, holding water all summer, and the forest 1106 extended to the edge of desert escarpment. However, The seminar will be in the Board of Supervisors room at what are now desert slopes would have also supported the San Diego County Operations Center (5520 forests. The rest of the Laguna Meadow was an Overland Ave. San Diego CA, 92123). The agenda will be extensive subalpine meadow with Carex, Juncus and posted on the registration page once it is finished. We other wetland species including wildflowers like Iris will be applying for at least 4 hours of CA Department of missouriensis (Blue flag iris), Dodecatheon alpinum Pesticide Regulation CE hours, including 1 hour of laws (Alpine shooting stars) and beautiful pink Lewisia and regulations. This seminar is jointly produced by the brachycalyx (Short sepaled lewisia) and white-flowered University of California Cooperative Extension, the San Lewisia redivivum (Bitterroot). Diego County Agriculture Weights and Measures Doane Valley and Mendenhall Valley would have had Department, and the San Diego County Weed similar alpine and subalpine conditions. Volcan Management Area. Mountain and the area around Julian had the subalpine vegetation but also deep forests. Hot Springs Mountain The CNPS-SD Newsletter is generally published 12 times a year. The newsletter is not peer reviewed and any opinions expressed are those of the author identified would have had subalpine as well on the slopes of its at the end of each notice or article. The newsletter editor may edit the submittal peak. Winter snow would have been extensive in the to improve accuracy, improve readability, shorten articles to fit the space, and reduce the potential for legal challenges against CNPS. If an article, as edited, is upper elevations, standing on the ridges and peaks for not satisfactory to the author, the author can appeal to the board. The author weeks at a time instead of just days as it does now. has the final say on whether the article, as edited, is printed in the newsletter. Submissions are due by the 10th of the month preceding the newsletter; that is, The top of Cuyamaca Peak, the second highest point in July 10 for the August newsletter, etc. Please submit items to San Diego County, would have been alpine or close to it, [email protected] with Lodgepole pines, Aspen, Pinus flexilis and the Sarcodes sanguinea (Snowplant) mixed at the level CNPS-SD Activities Calendar below the highest point. Similar to what is currently June 2018 found near the top of the San Bernardino Mountains on 6/2: Field Trip to Cuyamaca Rancho State Park, p.2 top of Cuyamaca Peak and Hot Springs Mountain, there 6/5: Conservation Committee Mtg, p.4 would have been an area of Alpine fell fields with 6/6: Board Meeting, p.2 Heuchera spp. (alum roots), Penstemon spp., and 6/9: Old Town Garden Workday, p.6 buckwheats (Eriogonum spp.). 6/10: Field Trip to Palomar Mountain State Park, French On a walk out into the meadow in Mendenhall Valley on Valley, p.2 Palomar Mountain during a late winter evening one 6/13: Garden Committee Mtg, p. 6 might have seen a few deer and a Puma skulking in the 6/19: Chapter Meeting, p.1 shadows of the massive 180-foot tall Sugar and 6/23-25: Field Trip to Baja, p.3 9

MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION ___Student or Limited Income $25; ___Individual $45; ___Family $75 ___Plant Lover $100; ___Patron $300; ___Benefactor $600; ___Mariposa Lily $1,500 Name(s): ______Address: ______Phone: ______e-mail: ______Mail check payable to “CNPS" and send to: CNPS, 2707 K Street, Ste 1, Sacramento, CA 95816-5113.

CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY Nonprofit Organization San Diego Chapter U.S. Postage C/o San Diego Natural History Museum PAID P. O. Box 121390 PERMIT NO. 1522 San Diego, CA 92112-1390 San Diego, California

June 2018 Newsletter

Dedicated to the preservation of the California native flora CALIFORNIA NATIVE PLANT SOCIETY – SAN DIEGO www.cnpssd.org [email protected]

BOARD MEMBERS INVASIVE PLANTS: Arne Johanson (858) 759-4769 & PRESIDENT: Tom Oberbauer ……...... …[email protected] Bob Byrnes...…………………..…[email protected] VICE PRES: Frank Landis….…...….…[email protected] LEGISLATION: Peter St. Clair…………. [email protected] SECRETARY: Michael Evans…….……[email protected] LIBRARIAN: OPEN TREASURER: Connie di Girolamo ….....…[email protected] MEMBERSHIP: Connie di Girolamo…[email protected] Cindy Burrascano……… (858) 342-5246; [email protected] NATIVES FOR NOVICES: Sue Marchetti………….………………. Bob Byrnes…………….……….……….…[email protected] [email protected] Torrey Neel………..………………….………[email protected] NATIVE GARDENING: Al Field...... [email protected] Al Field…………………………………………………[email protected] GARDEN TOUR: Judie Lincer……………………[email protected] Justin Daniel……………………….……………………[email protected] GARDEN WORKSHOP………………………… [email protected] HABITAT RESTORATION: Arne Johanson…... (858) 759-4769 & Bobbie Stephenson…..…(619) 269-0055; [email protected] Bob Byrnes ……………….……[email protected] MEDIA: Joseph Sochor…………………...……[email protected] NEWSLETTER: Bobbie Stephenson...... [email protected] (619) 269-0055 CHAPTER COUNCIL DELEGATE OLD TOWN NATIVE PLANT LANDSCAPE: Peter St. Clair and Frank Landis……….……...... [email protected] Kay Stewart……………...…[email protected] PLANT PROPAGATION: Jim [email protected] RARE PLANT BOTANIST 619-294-7556 Fred Roberts………………………….…[email protected] PLANT SALE-FALL: Carolyn Martus..…[email protected] (760) 712-7604 PLANT SALE-SPR: OPEN…………[email protected] POSTER SALES: OPEN……….…….…[email protected] APPOINTED COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSONS PROGRAMS: Torrey Neel…………..…..…[email protected] BOOK SALES: Cindy Burrascano.……...... [email protected] PUBLICITY: OPEN……...... …[email protected] (858) 342-5246 PUBLIC OUTREACH: OPEN …….…[email protected] CONSERVATION: Frank Landis...... [email protected] RARE PLANT SURVEYS: Frank [email protected] (310) 883-8569 (310) 883-8569 EDUCATION: OPEN SEEDS & BULBS: Cindy Hazuka…[email protected] FIELD TRIPS: Justin Daniel………………[email protected] VEGETATION: OPEN….……………….…[email protected] HOSPITALITY: Kye Ok Kim….…...... [email protected] WEBSITE: Joseph Sochor...... [email protected]